Device for connecting a bracelet to a wrist watch

ABSTRACT

A watch bracelet for wristwatches having a spring-bar holding assembly connected to the watch by a spring-bar. The assembly is provided with a pivoted brace arm movable against the watchcase to urge the bracelet portion against the surface of the watchcase and provide an effectively continuous surface area between watchcase and watch.

United States Patent Inventor Tsuneo Ojima 34, Naka-machi, ltabashi-Ka, Tokyo, Japan Appl. No. 809,090 Filed Mar. 21, 1969 Patented June 1, 1971 Priority Mar. 28, 1968 Japan 43/215,862

DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A BRACELET TO A WRIST WATCH 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl.... 224/4 Int. Cl A44c 5/00 Field of Search 224/4- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.820.275 l/l 958 Lancaster i. 63/9X 2.823,524 2/1958 Slater 224/4(.9)X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,225,969 2/1960 France 224/465 Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney-Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb & Soffen ABSTRACT: A watch bracelet for Wristwatches having a spring-bar holding assembly connected to the watch by a spring-bar. The assembly is provided with a pivoted brace arm movable against the watchcase to urge the bracelet portion against the surface of the watchcase and provide an effectively continuous surface area between watchcase and watch DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A BRACELET TO A WRIST WATCH This invention relates to aesthetic articles for the pleasure, convenience and comfort of mankind in daily living, and more particularly to watch bracelets of a compact and aesthetic design.

A watch bracelet not only functions to maintain a wristwatch upon the wrist of the wearer, but is also called upon to satisfy the aesthetic sense and needs of the wearer. One popular design of watch bracelet gives the appearance of being an integral part of the watchcase.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for connecting a bracelet to a watch in such a manner that the bracelet gives the appearance of being an integral part of the body of the watchcase while being readily disconnected from the watchcase as occasion demands.

Conventional watchcases have on the opposite sides thereof a pair of projections typically referred to as "horns" which are adapted to carry a spring-bar therebetween. Connection of a watch bracelet to a watchcase is conveniently effected by holding the spring-bar within openings provided in the the end pieces of the bracelet. The present invention advantageously utilizes the end piece of the bracelet or the spring-bar holder for developing tension between the watchcase and the bracelet so that they are urged toward intimate engagement. This tension is obtained by a swingable brace arm rotatably supported by the backside of the spring-bar holder at a position remote from the extreme end of the bracelet relative to the position of the spring-bar, which arm is manually operable to selectively engage and disengage the watchcase. Thus, the brace arm needs no special tools for the operation thereof, nor does it spoil the beauty and clean lines of the bracelet. As the watchcase and the bracelet are connected as one body, it is possible to decorate the watch with patterns or designs which continue successively from the watchcase to the bracelet.

The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of a wristwatch and a bracelet connected with each other by the device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section illustrating the manner for connecting the watchcase to the bracelet by the swingable brace arm;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the brace arm released from its engagement with the watchcase; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the spring-bar holder.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a wristwatch and a bracelet 11 connected to one another by means of a spring-bar 12 which extends between a pair of horns 13 on the opposite sides of the watchcase 14. The spring-bar 12 is held within a spring-bar holder 15 provided at each end of the bracelet 11. Only one such holder 15 has been shown in detail, for purposes of simplicity.

The spring-bar holder 15, which is preferably formed of metal, is shown in detail in FIG. 4 as comprising a base 16, a pair of spaced sidewalls 17, a U-shaped end 18 and a swingable brace arm 19 pivoted at the other end of holder 15. The arm 19 is rotatably supported at the left-hand end of holder 15 by a pin 20 which is carried by the sidewalls 17 at the end opposite to the U-shaped end 18. The other end of arm 19 is preferably bent upwardly so as to form a flange 21. Flange 21 may be formed to have a contour corresponding to the curvature of the watchcase l4 and to facilitate its insertion into the space 22 which is defined by the outer surface ofthe U-shaped end 18 and the watch case 14.

The holder 15 is firmly secured to the backside of the end portion of bracelet 11 by soldering, welding or rivetting at the base 16 placing the U-shaped end 18 next to the extreme end 23 of bracelet 11 while pin 20 is spaced inwardly from the extreme end of the bracelet. Thus, the U-shaped end 18 forms a receptacle or opening with the bracelet for receiving the spring-bar 12. 7

Connection of the extreme ends of the bracelet with the watchcase is effected by the spring-bars 12, which have their ends held by horns 13-13 and their intermediate portions positioned in the opening defined by the U-shaped end 18 of holder 15 and the bracelet. The flange 31 of brace arm 19 is forced into the space 22 which is defined by the outer surface of the U-shaped end 18 and the watchcase 14. It should be noted that the brace arm 19 is so dimensioned that, when it engages the watchcase, the finger 21 abuts against the confronting curved surface of the watchcase 14 to hold the extreme end of bracelet 11 against the watchcase in the manner shown best in FIG. 2.

When the swingable brace arm 19 is snapped into engagement with the watchcase, it reacts upon the bracelet 11 so as to cause the bracelet to swing up about the spring-bar 12 until the extreme end 23 of bracelet 11 abuts against the watchcase 14. Thus, the bracelet 11 gives the appearance of being an integral part of the watchcase, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

When it is desired to disconnect the bracelet from the watch, the user may snap off the brace arm 19 from the space 22 by a manual operation. After releasing the arm 19, the bracelet 22 may be readily disconnected from the watchcase 14 by removing the spring-bar 12 from their engagement with the horns 13 of the watchcase.

I claim:

1. A device for connecting a bracelet to a wristwatch having first and second pairs of horns on the respective opposite sides of the watchcase, comprising a holder means provided at each end of said bracelet forming an opening for receiving and holding a spring-bar which extends between each of said pairs of horns, said holder means having a brace arm rotatably secured at an end of said holder means spaced inward from the extreme end of the bracelet, the other end of said arm being adapted to abut against the watchcase to urge the bracelet to swing up about said spring-bar until said extreme end of the bracelet closely engages said watchcase; each end of said bracelet having a contour corresponding to the outer contour 'of the watchcase between said horns so as to fit the bracelet end to the watchcase whereby said'bracelet and said watchcase yields the appearance of one solid body.

2. The device of claim 5, wherein said holder means is firmly secured to the side of said bracelet engaging the wrist of the wearer, said bracelet arm having an outer free end for releaseably engaging the wrist watch in the region between said watchcase and said holder means.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said holder means has a pair of spaced sidewalls and a shaft-mounted therebetween, said shaft being adapted to rotatably support said brace arm.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer free end of said brace arm has a finger portion having a contour corresponding to the curvature of the watchcase to facilitate its engagement with the watchcase. 

1. A device for connecting a bracelet to a wristwatch having first and second pairs of horns on the respective opposite sides of the watchcase, comprising a holder means provided at each end of said bracelet forming an opening for receiving and holding a spring-bar which extends between each of said pairs of horns, said holder means having a brace arm rotatably secured at an end of said holder means spaced inward from the extreme end of the bracelet, the other end of said arm being adapted to abut against the watchcase to urge the bracelet to swing up about said springbar until said extreme end of the bracelet closely engages said watchcase; each end of said bracelet having a contour corresponding to the outer contour of the watchcase between said horns so as to fit the bracelet end to the watchcase whereby said bracelet and said watchcase yields the appearance of one solid body.
 2. The device of claim 5, wherein said holder means is firmly secured to the side of said bracelet engaging the wrist of the wearer, said bracelet arm having an outer free end for releaseably engaging the wrist watch in the region between said watchcase and said holder means.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said holder means has a pair of spaced sidewalls and a shaft-mounted therebetween, said shaft being adapted to rotatably support said brace arm.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer free end of said brace arm has a finger portion having a contour corresponding to the curvature of the watchcase to facilitate its engagement with the watchcase. 